Visiting Germany
Germany is in the Schengen area, and so are all nine of its neighbours.
What you need, by passport
- US passportNo visa needed for up to 90 days in 180Cleared
- UK passportNo visa needed for up to 90 days in 180Cleared
- Irish passportNo visa or time limit as an EU citizenCleared
- Canadian passportNo visa needed for up to 90 days in 180Cleared
- Australian passportNo visa needed for up to 90 days in 180Cleared
- New Zealand passportNo visa needed for up to 90 days in 180Cleared
Quick answers
Do I need a visa to visit Germany?
Not for a short visit on a US, UK, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand passport. You can stay up to 90 days in any 180 across the whole Schengen area. Irish citizens can live and work there with no time limit.
Is Germany in the Schengen area?
Yes, since 26 March 1995. Time you spend in Germany counts towards your 90 days in any 180, together with every other Schengen country.
Do I need ETIAS for Germany?
Not yet. When it starts, you'll need to apply online for ETIAS before you travel. It will cost €20 (free if you're under 18 or over 70) and last 3 years or until your passport expires. There's no start date yet: the EU says it will announce it several months ahead. Until then, don't pay any website for it.
How long does my passport need to be valid for Germany?
Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before you arrive, and be valid for at least 3 months after the day you leave the Schengen area.
Good to know in Germany
Checks at land borders. Germany is running temporary checks at all its land borders, currently until 15 March 2027. Carry your passport even when you arrive by road or rail from another Schengen country.
Berlin City Tax. Berlin charges a City Tax of 7.5% of the room price for each night, not counting extras such as breakfast. Your hotel may add it to your bill.
Low-emission zone sticker. Driving your own car? You need a green environmental sticker (Umweltplakette) to enter Berlin's low-emission zone, even if your car is registered abroad. You can order one online from Berlin's vehicle registration office.
Checked 26 October 2026 against European Union, European Commission, European Commission, Migration and Home Affairs, Berlin.de, Senatsverwaltung für Finanzen Berlin and Senatsverwaltung für Mobilität, Verkehr, Klimaschutz und Umwelt Berlin.
See the 19 official sources
- What is ETIAS (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- What you need to apply (ETIAS) (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- ETIAS frequently asked questions (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- ETIAS timeline explained (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- Who should apply (ETIAS) (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- How does the EES work? (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- What is the EES? (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- FAQs about EES (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- Smart Borders (European Commission (Migration and Home Affairs))
- Short-stay calculator (European Commission (Migration and Home Affairs))
- User manual for the short-stay Schengen calculator (European Commission)
- Travel documents for non-EU nationals (European Union (Your Europe))
- Travel documents for EU nationals (European Union (Your Europe))
- Residence rights when living abroad in the EU (European Union (Your Europe))
- Documents for minors travelling in the EU (European Union (Your Europe))
- Temporary reintroduction of border control (European Commission, Migration and Home Affairs)
- City Tax for Berlin tourists (Berlin.de (State of Berlin))
- FAQ Übernachtungsteuer (City Tax) (Senatsverwaltung für Finanzen Berlin)
- Umweltzone: Fahrzeuge aus dem Ausland (Senatsverwaltung für Mobilität, Verkehr, Klimaschutz und Umwelt Berlin)